Apparatus for lighting and extinguishing lamps



'-G-.-P.;1GANSTER.

A APPARATUS FOR "LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING LAMPS. N0. 247,900, Patented oat. 4,1881.

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NIT D STATE-s GEORGE I. GANSTER, OF READING,

PATENT OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE GANS'IER AUTOMATIC LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING COMPANY, OF

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part'of Letters'Patent No. 247,900, dated October 4,1881.

Application filed J anuary 22, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom tt may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE PETER GANJ STER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reading, in the county of Berks and-State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and use,

ful Improvements in Means or Apparatus for,

Lighting and Extinguishing Lamps, of which? the following is a specification. Z

My invention relates to improvements in' Self lighting and extinguishing lamps for do;

mestic or indoor purposes. l

The invention is particularly applicable for;

use in banks, stores, and other places where is necessary that a light should be raised at given time in the evening and extinguished or lowered at a given time in the morning, in

order that the premises may be open toinspec-l tion from the street or otherwise during the absence of sunlight. I

2o By the use of my invention the necessity of a clerk, janitor, orother person attending at a bank, store, or other place on Sunday, or on a holiday, to raise and lower the gas,is avoided,

as my device will at night automaticallylight 2 up the premises and in the morning similarly automatically extinguish or lower the flame.

My device may be applied to ordinary pedestals, brackets, chandeliers, or other gas-burm ers.

0 In carrying out my invention I employ a clock-work mechanism to control the determination of the periods required for these movements, composed of proper wheels and connections with a suitable escapement. The clock- 5 work is wound up by the current of air rising from theflameduringthe period while the main burner is lighted. The current of air rising from the flame at night or while the main burner is operating is quite strong. I support in the 40 top of a globe or reflector a light metallic screw having a number of blades, and connect this by means of a jointed shaft or rod capable of adjustment with the spring-winding mechanism of the clock-work. Iutilize the force thus 5 obtained to not only drive the clock-work while the main burner is serving, but also by accumulating powerin the springforrunning the clock and mechanism during the longest days. The

upper part of the shaft of the metallic screw is formed or provided with a box or receiver capable of holding glycerine, oil, powdered graphite, or other suitable anti-friction material. The upper surface or top of this box is provided with a central circular aperture adapted to hold and guide a centering pin or projection supported by arms carried by an open framing, which also supports the globe or reflector. The lubricatingmaterial is retained in the box prior and subsequent to the application of the box to the lamp by means of a thin layer or coating of paper or othersuitable material capable of being readily punctured by the centering-pin when the wheel is being placed in position in the lamp.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention. I

Figure l is a front viewof myimproved device, partly in section, applied to an ordinary 7o gas-pedestal. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of the upper part of the lamp, showing the operatingsorew. Fig. 3 shows a detached sectional view of the anti-friction box and part of the screwwheel.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

Z represents a pedestal of the ordinary construction for supporting and supplying a gaslamp for domestic purposes. Upon the upper end of this pedestal I mount an automatic gas lighting and extinguishing device, F, provided with suitable burners, I J.

A is an open frame-work, supported on the device F by means of a ring or clasp, a, which embraces the circular casting I, forming part of the device F. The framing A is so formed at its upper portion, A as to support aglobe or reflector, Y, having an extension or chimney, y. The framing A also supports a cylino drical tube or casin g, 0, provided with a crosspiece, 0, supporting a centering pin or bearin g,

0, adapted to pass down through a circular opening, 01 in a plate, d which is driven down into the lubricating material contained in a box, D formed on or affixed to the upper end of a shaft, D. This box D is adapted to receiveglycerine, oil, powdered graphite, or other suitable anti-friction material. My improved box D is adapted to reliably guide the shaft and fan-wheel, while it efficiently lubricates the pin 0 and prevents dust and other foreign matter from clogging the free revolution of the fan-wheel. The top d is pressed into themain portion of the box D and there retained by friction, soldering,or other suitable means. A small space is left above the plate d for the reception of a small poition of lubricating material, which is retained in position prior and subsequent to the application of the boX D to the lamp by means of a layer or coating, D*', of paper or other suitable material capable of being punctured readily by the centering-pin 0 when the wheel D is being placed in position in the lamp.

The shaft D is formed in two parts, d d, the part d by preference sliding within the part d for the purpose of adjustment. The lower end of the part d is saw-cut or slit and pressed together, so as to form a spring'jointfor the purpose of securely embracing the part (1. The lower end of the part d of the shaft D is provided with a female bearing adapted to rest on the upper end of a shaft (not shown) provided with a male hearing. The lower end of the shaftDis also furnished with a fork, the prongs of which are adapted to operate a shaft which communicates motion to the winding mechanism of the clock.

F is a casing suitably formed to inclose the clock mechanism. It also supports the main burnerl,subsidiary burnerJ, shield K, (shown in Fig.1,) and the parts immediatelyconnected therewith. The casing F is supported in position on the pedestal Z by means of the gas-inlet pipe F, which is screwed to the upper end of the pedestal Z in any suitable manner.

K is a shield adapted to prevent the permanent flame of the small burner J from being accidentally extinguished by sudden blasts of air.

The clock-work mechanism within F is of a similar character to that described in relation to Figs. 1 and 2 in the specification of Letters Patent granted to me hearing date the 21st day of January, 1870, and numbered 211,505, with the exception thatin this case the mainspring operating the clock is wound by means of the screw-wheel D in place of by the meter-wheel, as described in the aforesaid specification.

Having thus described my invention, I would have it understood that I do not claim in this application the clock mechanism, as the same is embraced in Letters Patent ot' the United States granted to me hearing date the 21st day of January, 1879, No. 211,504. Nor do Iclaim the wheel I) for winding up the clock-work, as the same is embraeedinmyapplication fol-Letters Patent of even date herewith, Serial No. 24,509; but

What I do claim is 1. The combination, with the automaticlighting and extinguishing device F, hollow frame A, and globe or reflector Y, of the casing (J, centering point or bearing a, screw-wheel D, shaft D, and box 1)", substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the shaft D,ot'the box D' and centering point or bearing a, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, this 20th day of January, 1881. in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEO. P. GANSTER.

Witnesses:

Enw. WM. FRANCIS, W. OoLnoRNE BROOKES. 

